A main focus of a community library is often to help the public gain access to somewhat scarce items, things that can enrich and educate the population but aren’t always affordable to those of modest means.
From scrolls and books in the beginning, to computers and Internet access in more recent years, libraries must also be on the cutting edge of innovation as technology moves forward. It was with this thought that the Bethlehem Public Library purchased one of the region’s first three-dimensional printers.
“This is just another asset that the library buys and the public can use a slice of,” said BPL Director Geoffrey Kirkpatrick.
He said money was set aside for months in order to purchase the Makerbot Replicator 2. The desktop package the library bought sells for about $3,000, but the library also received an education discount.
Kirkpatrick said the prices had gone down low enough where he felt he could justify finally making the purchase. He said the only other 3D printer he knows of that is available for public use is at the Tech Valley Center of Gravity/Capital District Makerspace in Troy.
The library’s printer arrived in October, and for about a month, the library’s information technology staff worked to get themselves acclimated with the system. Several large group presentations have been given at the library since, but starting this month, members of the community can sign up for two-hour time slots to use the printer.
For now, anyone with an Upper Hudson Library System card can use the printer, but anyone wishing to do so must first take a 30-minute orientation with the IT staff and sign a waiver. Children under 14 will need adult supervision when using the printer, and kids under 18 must also have their parents sign the waiver for liability purposes.
The Bethlehem Library has always been a place where people congregate and create, said Kirkpatrick. A knitting group has met at the library for decades, as have writing groups and other artists. With few people currently having the funds or necessity to purchase a 3D printer for home use, the hope is that the printer allows for another creative outlet.
“I’m not sure what people will use it to create,” said Kirkpatrick. “I’m leaving that up to them.”
He said the public is welcome to come and just play around with the device, and people shouldn’t be intimidated if they have no set purpose.
During the orientation, the library’s technology and communications specialist John Love tells people the printer works much like a giant glue gun. A large spindle of thin, plastic filament is attached to the back of the printer. The tubing is then feed into a metal tip, which heats the plastic and pipes it in the desired pattern onto a glass plate.
The system comes with pre-designed items and additional objects can be found using the website Thingiverse.com. The library also purchased a “digitizer,” which takes 3D scans of an object already in someone’s possession to be copied onscreen and then printed.
“We don’t have that part down yet, but we will soon,” said Love. “It’s almost like something from Star Trek.”
The library is not charging for use of the equipment but is charging for the amount of plastic used. A small scale is located next to the printer so patrons can weigh their project. The library staff is asking for 5 cents a gram, and those using the printer will need to pay for the plastic they use even if the build fails.
The plastic filament is recyclable and compostable. It also comes in a variety of colors, but because the IT staff needs to be present to change the spindle, those using the printer will be limited to the use of one color per project.
The time it takes to print an object depends on its size. A small coin, like the ones Love has been printing to give to library patrons after they attend an orientation, takes about 30 minutes to print. He said special arrangements may be made in the future for those who need more time or he is suggesting people bring a thumb drive to save their creations on so building and printing can be split into two sessions.
The library’s Assistant Director of Operations Mary Trev Thomas said she’s excited about the enthusiasm she’s seen from those who have attended the presentations. People of all ages have shown interest, mainly because so many still don’t understand the concept.
“People are coming out of the woodwork because they’re curious and want to learn about it,” she said. “There’s a real community aspect about it.”
In the spring, the library will be hosting a session for children using the popular block-building computer game Minecraft. Library staff will show the children how to take their Minecraft creations and then use the 3D printer to make objects they can take home.
“A staff member’s son figured out how to do that all on his own,” said Love. “We were very excited.”